Youngstown man gets two years in jail

May 24, 2014

LISBON - Khaleb V. Bonner, who was found with a loaded handgun in a hidden compartment of his vehicle in October 2012, was sentenced to two years in prison by Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge C. Ashley Pike.

Bonner, 24, of Youngstown, pleaded guilty in August 2013 to carrying a concealed weapon and possessing a weapon despite prior felony convictions. He was scheduled to have been sentenced on Oct. 25, a hearing which was continued until Nov. 18. When he failed to appear at that hearing, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

Bonner told Pike he had skipped his hearing because his daughter was going to be born, which she was on Dec. 5. He said he was concerned if he went to his sentencing hearing he would be incarcerated instead of there for the birth.

Bonner's attorney James Lanzo had argued for probation claiming his client was not causing any harm to anyone when the gun, a loaded .40-caliber Glock, was found during a traffic stop for speeding in the county on Oct. 17, 2012. Lanzo said the gun was only found after a dog was brought out to the stop and an extensive search was done of the vehicle.

"In this case, at least, the facts are not so egregious as to warrant a prison term," Lanzo said.

Bonner was found with a loaded .40-caliber Glock following a traffic stop for speeding in the county on Oct. 17, 2012. He was barred from possessing firearms because of prior convictions for drug trafficking.

Bonner appeared in the custody of the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office. According to the Youngstown Vindicator, Bonner has been charged with aggravated robbery and obstructing official business following a robbery at a home in early May.